maximum techhttp://www.maximumpc.com/taxonomy/term/14149/%252Farticle/%5Bprimary-term%5D/tags/galaxy_tab
enGoogle Splits Up Drive Mobile App http://www.maximumpc.com/google_splits_drive_mobile_app200
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="http://www.maximumpc.com/files/u46168/driveapp.png" alt="Google Drive App" title="Google Drive App" width="228" height="266" style="float: right;" /></h3>
<h3>Separate Docs and Sheets apps are now required for creating and editing documents</h3>
<p>A new version of the Google Drive app hit the Play Store and App Store on Friday. In a move Google had telegraphed a couple of days earlier with the release of standalone Docs and Sheets apps for both platforms, the <strong>latest Drive app no longer lets you edit documents.</strong></p>
<p>Instead, <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.in/2014/04/new-mobile-apps-for-docs-sheets-and.html" target="_blank">you now need the new standalone productivity apps in order to edit or create documents and spreadsheets</a>. The new productivity apps, though, don’t really have a lot of new tricks up their sleeves, save for the fact that they now allow you to edit your documents and spreadsheets offline. As for the new, emasculated Drive app, the ability to lock the app and its contents using a four-digit passcode is the only noteworthy item on the changelog.</p>
<p>Launched in 2012, Google Drive effectively usurped the online productivity suite named Google Docs, becoming the front-end for the various productivity apps contained therein. This latest move has therefore come as a surprise to many. One likely explanation for the split is that Google did not want the Drive app to become bloated over time with the addition of new functionality. </p>
<p>For instance, Google is also readying a third standalone productivity app called Slides for those interested in creating presentations on the go. It is not difficult to see how having this functionality in the Drive app instead — one also packed with the ability to create and edit other documents — could have made the app appear bloated to those who don’t have much use for such features.</p>
<p>Please let us know what you think in the comments sections below.</p>
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http://www.maximumpc.com/google_splits_drive_mobile_app200#commentsandroidapp storedocsgoogle driveiosmaximum techplay storeproductivity suiteslidesspreadsheetsNewsSun, 04 May 2014 23:21:27 +0000Pulkit Chandna27744 at http://www.maximumpc.comDisplayMate Determines the Best Smartphone Display Belongs to Samsung's Galaxy S5http://www.maximumpc.com/displaymate_determines_best_smartphone_display_belongs_samsungs_galaxy_s5_2014
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="/files/u69/galaxy_s5_0.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy S5" title="Samsung Galaxy S5" width="228" height="176" style="float: right;" />The Galaxy S5's display impresses a well renowned testing firm</h3>
<p>It looks like Samsung may have yet other bragging point -- best smartphone display in the world. That was the determination DisplayMate's Dr. Raymond M. Soneira came to after an extensive round of lab tests and measurements, in which he concluded that <strong>the Galaxy S5 sports the best smartphone display</strong> he's ever tested. It was an easy conclusion to come to after the Galaxy S5 left in its wake a bunch of broken records.</p>
<p>The Galaxy S5 set new standards for several of DisplayMate's smartphone tests, including Highest Brightness, Lowest Reflectance, Highest Color Accuracy, Infinite Contrast Ratio, Highest Contrast Rating in Ambient Light, and smallest Brightness Variation with Viewing Angle.</p>
<p>"The Galaxy S5 has raised th bar for top display performance by another notch -- an impressive achievement for OLED technology!," Dr. Soneira stated.</p>
<p>It's important to note that these are objective tests with measurable results, as opposed to a subjective analysis. Dr. Soneira is also known for not being swayed by factory specifications.</p>
<p>"The variation of Brightness, Contrast, and Color with Viewing Angle is especially important for smartphones because of their larger screen and multiple viewers. The typical manufacturer 176+ degree specification for LCD Viewing Angle is nonsense because that is where the Contrast Ratio falls to a miniscule 10," Dr. Soneira notes.&nbsp; For most LCDs there are substantial degradations at less than ±30 degrees, which is not an atypical Viewing Angle for smartphones and tablets."</p>
<p>As good as the Galaxy S5's display is, one thing that could still use improvement in the OLED arena is power efficiency. This is an area where OLED technology still trails LCDs, though Samsung did make some strides here with the S5 featuring a 27 percent improvement in power efficiency compared to the S4.</p>
<p>You can read more in <a href="http://www.displaymate.com/Galaxy_S5_ShootOut_1.htm" target="_blank">DisplayMat'es Galaxy S5 Shootout</a>.</p>
<p><em>Follow Paul on <a href="https://plus.google.com/+PaulLilly?rel=author" target="_blank">Google+</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/paul_b_lilly" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Paul.B.Lilly" target="_blank">Facebook</a></em></p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/displaymate_determines_best_smartphone_display_belongs_samsungs_galaxy_s5_2014#commentsdisplaydisplaymategalaxy s5Hardwaremaximum techmobilesamsungsmartphoneNewsMon, 31 Mar 2014 17:18:42 +0000Paul Lilly27539 at http://www.maximumpc.comMotorola's Unlocked Moto G Smartphone Heads to U.S. Ahead of Schedulehttp://www.maximumpc.com/motorolas_unlocked_moto_g_smartphone_heads_us_ahead_schedule2013
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="/files/u69/moto_g_1.jpg" alt="Moto G" title="Moto G" width="228" height="179" style="float: right;" />Budget smartphone could be a hot holiday item</h3>
<p>Motorola has a holiday surprise for the mobile crowd. The company announced that its unlocked and affordable <a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/motorola_comes_out_swinging_unlocked_moto_g_179_-contract" target="_blank"><strong>Moto G smartphone</strong></a> is now available to purchase in GSM form from Motorola's website with no contract, no SIM lock, and an unlocked bootloader for $179 with 8GB of storage or $199 with 16GB of storage. Those are full retail prices - you own the device outright for less than the subsidized cost of most high-end smartphones.</p>
<p>Following the U.S. launch of the GSM version, <a href="http://motorola-blog.blogspot.com/2013/11/moto-g-comes-to-us-in-time-for-holidays.html" target="_blank">Motorola said</a> it will offer a CDMA handset in January. Both versions feature a 4.5-inch HD display, 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, 1GB of RAM, 5MP rear-facing camera, 1.3MP front-facing camera, and a 2070mAh battery that Motorola claims will last a full day.</p>
<p>The Moto G ships with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, though Motorola says it's "guaranteed" to get an Android 4.4 KitKat upgrade in the beginning of 2014. Furthermore, it's a clean build of Android -- no skins or funky customizations to slow down performance.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><img src="/files/u69/moto_g_angle.jpg" alt="Moto G" title="Moto G" width="620" height="256" /></p>
<p>Bear in mind that the Moto G does not come with 4G LTE support or expandable storage. Some people will find those omissions to be deal killers, though overall, the Moto G is a good value for the money.</p>
<p><em>Follow Paul on <a href="https://plus.google.com/+PaulLilly?rel=author" target="_blank">Google+</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/paul_b_lilly" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Paul.B.Lilly" target="_blank">Facebook</a></em></p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/motorolas_unlocked_moto_g_smartphone_heads_us_ahead_schedule2013#commentsHardwaremaximum techmobilemoto gmotorolasmartphoneNewsTue, 26 Nov 2013 18:07:21 +0000Paul Lilly26774 at http://www.maximumpc.comCanalys: Microsoft to Own Just 5 Percent of Rapidly Expanding Tablet Market in 2014http://www.maximumpc.com/canalys_microsoft_own_just_5_percent_rapidly_expanding_tablet_market_2014
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="/files/u69/razer_edge_1.jpg" alt="Razer Edge" title="Razer Edge" width="228" height="163" style="float: right;" />Tablets will make up half of the overall PC market next year</h3>
<p>Desktops aren't going anywhere, but neither are tablets, the latter of which are forecast to out-ship all other PC form factors combined to account for nearly half of the client PC market, according to Canalys. <strong>Tablet PC shipments</strong> grew 40 percent in the third quarter of 2013, which helped the overall PC market grow 18 percent even though traditional desktop and notebook shipments declined. Amid all this growth is a window of opportunity to monetize the frenzy, just like Intel did when netbooks were all the craze.</p>
<p>Apple is still the top tablet vendor, and with the recent launch of the iPad Air and new iPad mini with Retina-class display, it will probably stay in the lead. Meanwhile, Canalys believes Microsoft will carve out a 5 percent share of the market next year, which would be more than double its 2 percent stake in 2012. In order to really compete, however, there's a sense that Microsoft needs to consolidate its operating systems.</p>
<p>"To improve its position it must drive app development and better utilize other relevant parts of its business to round out its mobile device ecosystem," <a href="http://www.canalys.com/newsroom/tablets-make-50-pc-market-2014" target="_blank">said Canalys Research Analyst Pin Chen Tang</a>. "A critical first step is to address the coexistence of Windows Phone and Windows RT. Having three different operating systems to address the smart device landscape is confusing to both developers and consumers alike."</p>
<p>Funny Canalys should mention OS consolidation. As coincidence would have it, Microsoft's Executive Vice President of Devices and Studios, Julie Larson-Green, recently went on record saying Microsoft has too many OSes.</p>
<p>"We have the Windows Phone OS. We have Windows RT and we have full Windows. We're not going to have three," Larson-Green said.</p>
<p><em>Follow Paul on <a href="https://plus.google.com/+PaulLilly?rel=author" target="_blank">Google+</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/paul_b_lilly" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Paul.B.Lilly" target="_blank">Facebook</a></em></p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/canalys_microsoft_own_just_5_percent_rapidly_expanding_tablet_market_2014#commentscanalysHardwaremaximum techmicrosoftmobileslatetabletNewsTue, 26 Nov 2013 17:29:22 +0000Paul Lilly26773 at http://www.maximumpc.comDelta to Use Surface 2 Tablets as Electronic Flight Bagshttp://www.maximumpc.com/delta_use_surface_2_tablets_electronic_flight_bags110
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="http://www.maximumpc.com/files/u46168/surface2.png" alt="Surface 2 Windows RT Tablet" title="Surface 2 Windows RT Tablet" width="228" height="135" style="float: right;" /></h3>
<h3>Airline to deploy as many as 11,000 units</h3>
<p>In a major shot in the arm for Microsoft’s struggling Windows RT platform, Delta Air Lines has announced that later this year it will begin <a href="http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=43&amp;item=2118" target="_blank">deploying the company’s upcoming Surface 2 tablet across its Boeing 757 and Boeing 767 fleets</a> with the aim of “replacing heavy paper-based flight kits containing navigational charts and aircraft operating and reference manuals.” It expects to complete the rollout by the end of 2014, by when a total of 11,000 such Surface 2 electronic paper bags will have found their way into its cockpits.</p>
<p>According to the airline, the Windows RT 8.1-running Surface 2 will let pilots access navigational charts, reference documents and checklists while saving the company “$13 million per year in fuel and associated costs.”</p>
<p>“With the Windows RT 8.1 operating system, pilots will be able to open two applications side-by-side, offering, for example, the opportunity to assess weather information alongside proposed flight paths,” the airlines said in a press release. “The Live Tile user interface in Windows 8.1 can feed up-to-the-minute information to crew members while the Surface 2's true high-resolution 1080p touchscreen display adds detail to maps and other resources.”</p>
<p>Although by no means insignificant, the sale of eleven thousand units may not be enough to change the overall complexion of the tablet race. Microsoft needs to do more if it wants to save Windows RT.</p>
<p><em style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 21px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Follow Pulkit on&nbsp;<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; font-size: 14px; vertical-align: baseline; background-color: transparent; color: #cc0000; text-decoration: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" href="https://plus.google.com/107395408525066230351?rel=author">Google+</a></em></p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/delta_use_surface_2_tablets_electronic_flight_bags110#commentselectronic flight bagmaximum techmicrosoftSoftwaresurface 2windows 8.1 rtNewsTue, 01 Oct 2013 04:07:24 +0000Pulkit Chandna26402 at http://www.maximumpc.comMicrosoft Trying to Boost Surface Sales Through iPad Trade-in Programhttp://www.maximumpc.com/microsoft_trying_boost_surface_sales_through_ipad_trade-_program200
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="http://www.maximumpc.com/files/u46168/microsoft-surface-ipad.jpg" alt="Microsoft iPad Trade-in Program" title="Microsoft iPad Trade-in Program" width="228" height="171" style="float: right;" /></h3>
<h3>Redmond is offering a minimum of $200 for “gently used” iPads</h3>
<p>Microsoft is currently running a <strong><a href="http://content.microsoftstore.com/en-us/offers?WT.mc_id=PromoEmail_iPadTradein_9-5-13_GetDetails#offer-tablet-trade" target="_blank">limited-time iPad trade-in offer</a></strong>, allowing people to bring in their “gently used” iPad 2,3,or 4 into select Microsoft retail outlets across the U.S. and Canada and walk out with a Microsoft store gift card worth a minimum of $200. While the offer has been live for well over a week now, the good news is that there’s still plenty of time left.</p>
<p>Of course, Microsoft is not doing this to gain an entry into the electronics trade-in market. It is simply trying to prop up sales of its own Surface tablets at the expense of its most high-profile competitor. Redmond, in fact, wants to get that iOS-running tab out of your hands first and foremost, and if you choose to use the gift card toward the purchase of a brand new Surface RT or Pro slate, all the better.</p>
<p>Valid until October 27, 2013, the offer is only available offline and that too in select Microsoft retail locations in Canada and the U.S. (including Puerto Rico). As for eligibility, all 2nd-, 3rd- and 4th-generation devices are eligible as long as the device is in good shape and you still have the power cord. Also, the device can’t be password protected.</p>
<p>In case you are actually considering trading in your old iPad for a Surface RT or Pro, please bear in mind that Microsoft is <a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/here_we_go_again_microsoft_set_debut_surface_2_september_23">slated to unveil its next-gen Surface tablets on September 23, 2013 at a special event in New York</a> — so it’d be wise to wait until then.</p>
<p><em>Image Credit: TechnoBuffalo</em></p>
<p><em>Follow Pulkit on&nbsp;<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none;" href="https://plus.google.com/107395408525066230351?rel=author">Google+</a></em></p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/microsoft_trying_boost_surface_sales_through_ipad_trade-_program200#commentsdealiPadmaximum techmicrosoftofferpromotionSurfacesurface 2tablettrade inwindows 8windows rtNewsFri, 13 Sep 2013 22:36:27 +0000Pulkit Chandna26303 at http://www.maximumpc.comAsus Unveils Updated Transformer Pad with Tegra 4, 2560x1600 Displayhttp://www.maximumpc.com/asus_unveils_updated_transformer_pad_tegra_4_2560x1600_display
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="/files/u69/transformer_pad.jpg" alt="Asus Transformer Pad TF701T" title="Asus Transformer Pad TF701T" width="228" height="147" style="float: right;" />High end specs abound</h3>
<p>Google's hardware partners figured out that lower priced slates are where the real money is at, but if you're more interested in a premium, non-iPad tablet and are willing to pay more for a higher end device, <a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/hynix"><strong>Asus</strong></a> has your back. The company <a href="http://www.asus.com/News/DSh8ocVFyYG7TJOM" target="_blank">introduced</a> its new <a href="javascript:void(0);" target="_blank">Transformer Pad TF701T</a>, a 10.1-inch Android tablet rocking a 2560x1600 resolution and Nvidia's latest and greatest Tegra 4 quad-core processor with 72-core GeForce GPU.</p>
<p>This display is an IGZO-TFT type with reduced energy consumption and a wide color gamut. According to Asus, it has excellent daylight visibility and a wide 178-degree viewing angle.</p>
<p>Other features include a 1.2MP front-facing camera, 5MP rear-facing camera, 2GB of RAM, 32GB or 64GB of built-in storage plus 5GB of Asus Webstorage, 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0, micro HDMI output, 2-in-1 audio jack, microSD card reader, and a battery that's good for up to 13 hours of use.</p>
<p><img src="/files/u69/transformer_pad_dock.jpg" alt="Asus Transformer Pad TF701T with Dock" title="Asus Transformer Pad TF701T with Dock" width="620" height="516" /></p>
<p>An optional dock adds a full-size keyboard, USB 3.0 port, and SD card reader. Without the dock, the Transformer Pad measures 263mm (W) by 180.8mm (D) by 8.9mm (H) and weighs 585g.</p>
<p>No word yet on price or availability.</p>
<p><em>Follow Paul on <a href="https://plus.google.com/113266473617484509826?rel=author" target="_blank">Google+</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/paul_b_lilly" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Paul.B.Lilly" target="_blank">Facebook</a></em></p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/asus_unveils_updated_transformer_pad_tegra_4_2560x1600_display#commentsandroidasusmaximum techmobileslatetablettf701ttransformer padNewsFri, 06 Sep 2013 16:33:31 +0000Paul Lilly26250 at http://www.maximumpc.comToshiba's Windows 8.1 Encore Tablet Will Tussle with iPad Mini in 8-inch Tablet Spacehttp://www.maximumpc.com/toshibas_windows_81_encore_tablet_will_tussle_ipad_mini_8-inch_tablet_space
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="/files/u69/toshiba_encore.jpg" alt="Toshiba Encore" title="Toshiba Encore" width="228" height="138" style="float: right;" />A smaller, less expensive Surface</h3>
<p>Piles of <a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/microsofts_failed_surface_rt_strategy_leads_900_million_charge_unsold_inventory">unsold Surface inventory</a> are sitting in Redmond, and part of the reason for that is because it's extremely tough to sell a $499+ non-iPad tablet to the masses, a lesson Google's hardware partners found out early on. That doesn't mean Windows 8 tablets are a bust, they just need to come down in price and have more apps available. <a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/amd"><strong>Toshiba</strong></a> is taking care of the first part by launching the appropriately named Encore.</p>
<p>The new Encore is an 8-inch multi-touch tablet running Windows 8.1 and powered by an Intel Atom processor. Toshiba's marketing the slate as delivering the "Windows 8.1 experience in a pocket-sized form factor," though that point of emphasis might be a tad misplaced -- not everyone can cram an 8-inch tablet into their pocket.</p>
<p>"Encore is poised to re-energize the opportunity for Windows tablets in the market," <a href="http://us.toshiba.com/pressrelease/100783" target="_blank">said Carl Pinto</a>, vice president of marketing, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., Digital Products Division. "Our fundamental approach to designing Encore was to create a better convergence of hardware and software so the overall app experience and capabilities on a Windows-based device is better than ever. Windows has a lot to offer for a tablet user, and with the new features that Windows 8.1 brings, we believe that Encore will deliver more choice against a range of competitive tablets."</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="/files/u69/toshiba_encore_landscape.jpg" alt="Toshiba Encore Landscape" title="Toshiba Encore Landscape" width="584" height="378" /></p>
<p>The 8-inch slate features a 1280x800 resolution with a Start screen that's viewable in both portrait and landscape orientations. It has 32GB of built-in storage, a microSD card slot for up to 32GB of additional storage space, dual-band 802.11n Wi-Fi, micro USB 2.0 port, micro HDMI port, 2MP front-facing camera, and an 8MP rear-facing camera.</p>
<p>Toshiba's Encore will be available to purchase in November for $330 MSRP. Included with the tablet is a full version of Office Home and Student 2013, Xbox SmartGlass app, and a free streaming pass to Xbox Music.</p>
<p><em>Follow Paul on <a href="https://plus.google.com/113266473617484509826?rel=author" target="_blank">Google+</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/paul_b_lilly" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Paul.B.Lilly" target="_blank">Facebook</a></em></p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/toshibas_windows_81_encore_tablet_will_tussle_ipad_mini_8-inch_tablet_space#commentsatomHardwaremaximum techmobileslatetablettoshibawindows 8.1. encoreNewsThu, 05 Sep 2013 14:17:58 +0000Paul Lilly26243 at http://www.maximumpc.comNvidia's Tegra 4 Platform Will Power Microsoft's Surface 2 Tabletshttp://www.maximumpc.com/nvidias_tegra_4_platform_will_power_microsofts_surface_2_tablets2013
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="/files/u69/surface_2.jpg" alt="Surface 2" title="Surface 2" width="228" height="131" style="float: right;" />Surface returns with Tegra 4 in tow</h3>
<p>After the clusterhump surrounding Microsoft's Surface strategy that resulted in the Redmond outfit taking a $<a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/microsofts_failed_surface_rt_strategy_leads_900_million_charge_unsold_inventory"><strong>900 million charge</strong></a> on unsold inventory, you might not think Steve Ballmer and company would be all that eager to release a second generation slate. Not only is there strong evidence to support the notion that Surface 2 is coming, but there are even details on what hardware will be inside.</p>
<p>First things first. Our comrades over at sister site <em>TechRadar</em> recently <a href="http://www.techradar.com/us/news/computing/surface-2-what-microsoft-s-reddit-q-lls-us-about-the-next-surface-tablet-1129998" target="_blank">posted a roundup</a> of Surface 2 news and rumors. The strongest hint yet that Microsoft will release another Surface can be found by looking at the company's job advertisements. There's also a leaked internal slide floating around the web that suggests a Surface 2 is in Microsoft's cards.</p>
<p><img src="/files/u69/surface_rt_4.jpg" alt="Surface RT" title="Surface RT" width="620" height="348" /></p>
<p>What's more fuzzy than Microsoft's plans to release a Surface 2 are details about the form factor and hardware. However, Surface 2 just poked its head on <a href="http://gfxbench.com/device.jsp?benchmark=gfx27&amp;D=Microsoft+Surface+2&amp;testgroup=system" target="_blank">GFXBench's results page</a>, revealing that the RT version will be powered by an Nvidia Tegra 4 System-on-Chip (SoC). It also revealed that it will sport a 1371x771 resolution (or, more likely, 1366x768, same as the original Surface RT).</p>
<p>One of the rumors out there is that Microsoft may shrink a version of Surface to 7 inches to battle against the Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD, and iPad mini, among other emerging contenders.</p>
<p><em>Follow Paul on <a href="https://plus.google.com/113266473617484509826?rel=author" target="_blank">Google+</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/paul_b_lilly" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Paul.B.Lilly" target="_blank">Facebook</a></em></p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/nvidias_tegra_4_platform_will_power_microsofts_surface_2_tablets2013#commentsHardwaremaximum techmicrosoftmobilenvidiaslatesurface 2tablettegra 4NewsWed, 04 Sep 2013 15:30:37 +0000Paul Lilly26237 at http://www.maximumpc.comUbuntu Boss Full of Praise for Microsoft’s 'Design Vision'http://www.maximumpc.com/ubuntu_boss_full_praise_microsoft%E2%80%99s_design_vision320
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="http://www.maximumpc.com/files/u46168/ubuntu_for_phones.jpg" alt="Ubuntu Edge Smartphone" title="Ubuntu Edge Smartphone" width="228" height="139" style="float: right;" /></h3>
<h3>Lauds Microsoft for being bold with Windows 8</h3>
<p>Despite all the flak that Microsoft has drawn in recent times over Windows 8, its strategy of pursuing design continuity across traditional PCs and smart devices has won it a few admirers as well — some of them from unlikely quarters.</p>
<p>Canonical boss Mark Shuttleworth is one such unlikely admirer of Microsoft’s one-style-fits-all interface strategy: "Microsoft has clearly articulated a design vision that's designed to expand across platforms," the most powerful man in all of Ubuntudom told our sister site <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/software/operating-systems/ubuntu-may-do-it-better-but-canonical-head-sees-merits-of-windows-8-efforts-1168992#null" target="_blank">Tech Radar</a>. "As much criticism as the [Windows 8] has taken, I have to agree with them. It recognizes it needs to make a bold foundation. It's very difficult to make bold transitions like that without tickling somebody's nose hairs."</p>
<p>Actually, on second thought, this isn’t that much of a surprise, especially considering how Canonical is trying to do the same with <strong><a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/ubuntu" target="_blank">Ubuntu</a></strong>. But that is precisely where, Shuttleworth insists, all the similarities end.</p>
<p>"I think our story scales a bit more smoothly from phone to tablet to PC," he said. “I think we have an advantage in that our core OS is much lighter in a way. Because it works on phones it makes it to the PC faster - we're stripping out all the fat on the phone.”</p>
<p>Canonical is currently trying to crowdfund the development of the Ubuntu Edge smartphone (see video), a device that will “dual-boot both the Ubuntu phone OS and Android, and convert into a fully integrated Ubuntu desktop PC.” The company is <a href="http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ubuntu-edge">trying to raise $32 million in an all-or-nothing crowdfunding effort</a>, meaning that if it fails to raise the desired sum it will give up the ambitious project altogether.</p>
<p><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/eQLe3iIMN7k?feature=player_embedded" width="620" height="350" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/ubuntu_boss_full_praise_microsoft%E2%80%99s_design_vision320#commentscanonicalmark shuttleworthmaximum techoperating systemsmartphonesSoftwaretabletsubuntuubuntu edgewindows 8NewsSat, 27 Jul 2013 13:10:37 +0000Pulkit Chandna26019 at http://www.maximumpc.comAmazon Cuts Price of Kindle Fire to $169, Hopes to Burn the Competitionhttp://www.maximumpc.com/amazon_cuts_price_kindle_fire_169_hopes_burn_competition
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="/files/u69/kindle_fire_hd_2.jpg" alt="Amazon Kindle Fire HD" title="Amazon Kindle Fire HD" width="228" height="177" style="float: right;" />How low can the Kindle Fire go?</h3>
<p>As a consumer, you have to love price wars, so long as both companies competing for your dollars stay in business. Right now there's a price war brewing between Barnes &amp; Noble with its Nook HD and HD+ tablets, and Amazon with its <a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/all_new_kindle_fire_tablets_ship_special_offers_ads_wall_charger_costs_extra"><strong>Kindle Fire HD</strong></a> tablets, the latter of which is now on sale starting at $169. This is a temporary price cut and if you're a Prime member, you get free 2-day shipping to boot.</p>
<p>The 7-inch Kindle Fire HD normally starts at $199 for the 16GB model with Special Offers (homescreen ads, basically). It's now reduced to <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0083PWAPW" target="_blank">$169 with Special Offers</a> or $184 without (down from $214). If you opt for one of the 32GB SKUs, you'll now pay $199 for the model with Special Offers&nbsp; (down from $229) or $214 without (down from $244).</p>
<p>Barnes &amp; Noble slashed the price of its Nook HD to $129 (down from $199) and its Nook HD+ to $149 (down from $269) in June. B&amp;N also recently revealed that it will no longer manufacture its own Nook tablets, choosing instead to outsource production as one of its "big steps to reduce the losses in the Nook segment."</p>
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http://www.maximumpc.com/amazon_cuts_price_kindle_fire_169_hopes_burn_competition#commentsamazonebook readerHardwarekindle firemaximum techmobiletabletNewsMon, 08 Jul 2013 12:45:00 +0000Paul Lilly25872 at http://www.maximumpc.comHTC's Profits Sink Like the Titanic, Down 83 Percent in Q2 2013http://www.maximumpc.com/htcs_profits_sink_titanic_down_83_percent_q2_2013
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="/files/u69/htc_one_1.jpg" alt="HTC One" title="HTC One" width="228" height="179" style="float: right;" />How low can you go?</h3>
<p><a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/zynga"><strong>HTC</strong></a> was once a mighty vessel sailing the mobile seas, and like Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie Titanic, the company must have felt it was the king of the world. We all know how that movie ends, and just as the real Titantic was doomed to sink, things aren't looking so well for HTC. The Taiwanese phone maker saw its <a href="http://investors.htc.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=148697&amp;p=irol-newsArticle&amp;ID=1835445&amp;highlight=" target="_blank">profits plummet </a>83 percent in the second quarter of 2013.</p>
<p>Its total revenues for the quarter reached NT$70.7 billion ($2.35 billion), resulting in profits of NT$1.25 billion ($41.63 million). On the plus side, HTC's profits in the second quarter trumped Q1, but they're down compared to the same quarter a year ago.</p>
<p>Like every other mobile player, HTC is having a bear of a time competing against Samsung in the Android space and Apple in the mobile space. That's in stark contrast to the early days of Android, of which HTC was a pioneering force. More recently, HTC said it would begin offering fewer handsets so that it can concentrate on a handful of quality devices rather than taking a shotgun approach.</p>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/htcs_profits_sink_titanic_down_83_percent_q2_2013#commentshtchtc onemaximum techmobilesmartphonesNewsFri, 05 Jul 2013 16:46:34 +0000Paul Lilly25866 at http://www.maximumpc.comGoogle Reportedly Building Android-based Game Consolehttp://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/google_reportedly_building_android-based_game_console360
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="http://www.maximumpc.com/files/u46168/ouya-onlive_630x.jpg" alt="Rumor: Google said to building Android game console" title="Rumor: Google said to building Android game console" width="228" height="136" style="float: right;" /></h3>
<h3>A smartwatch and a Nexus Q successor also said to be in the works</h3>
<p>While most regular companies have to be mindful of the perils of spreading themselves too thin, the colossal likes of Google, Apple and Microsoft can seemingly do whatever they want, whenever they want without any such worries. For instance, Google, best known for its search algorithms, operating systems, smartphones, tablets and mostly decent April Fool’s jokes, is now said to be building an Android-based game console.</p>
<p>According to a <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323689204578571992848684764.html?mod=wsj_share_tweet">Wall Street Journal report</a> citing sources “familiar” with Google’s plans, the company is working on an <strong><a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/ouya" target="_blank">Android-based game console</a></strong>. Its not the Ouyas and the Shields that it has in its sights, but the rumored console is allegedly an attempt to preempt a similar device that Apple may bring to the market in the future.</p>
<p>But the game console is not the only new Android-powered device that Google is said to be developing at the moment. The company is, per the paper’s sources, also working on a smartwatch — apparently also an attempt at preempting Apple — and the successor to its ill-fated media streaming device the Nexus Q.</p>
<p>Although this is nothing more than a rumor, one thing is for sure: if Google is indeed building such an Android-based gaming machine, its chances of attracting triple A exclusive titles, for long considered the lifeblood of any videogame platform, are much better than that of Ouya, Inc. or <a href="http://bgr.com/2013/06/28/bluestacks-gamepop-mini-android/" target="_blank">Bluestacks</a>. </p>
<p><em>Follow Pulkit on&nbsp;<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none;" href="https://plus.google.com/107395408525066230351?rel=author">Google+</a></em></p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/google_reportedly_building_android-based_game_console360#commentsadroidbluestacksgame consolegamepopGamingGooglemaximum technexus qouyasmartwatchNewsFri, 28 Jun 2013 21:43:53 +0000Pulkit Chandna25829 at http://www.maximumpc.comMicrosoft Targeting Education Market with Surface RT Giveaways, Discountshttp://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/microsoft_targeting_education_market_surface_rt_giveaways_discounts199
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="http://www.maximumpc.com/files/u46168/surface_rt_1.jpg" alt="Surface RT" title="Surface RT" width="228" height="141" style="float: right;" /></h3>
<h3>Giveaway at ISTE 2013 will be followed by discount offer during the back-to-school season</h3>
<p>After giving them away to TechED attendees for just $99 a pop, Microsoft is now getting ready to sell the <strong><a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/surface_rt" target="_blank">Surface RT</a></strong> to K12 and higher education institutions at a slightly higher, yet pretty “aggressive”, price of $199. Given all the reports of a <a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/microsoft_surface_tablet_sales_nothing_brag_about2013" target="_blank">large unsold inventory</a> and recent murmurs about a <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-06-18/microsoft-said-to-add-qualcomm-as-surface-rt-supplier.html" target="_blank">Qualcomm-powered version</a>, it seems as if Microsoft is trying to get rid of all those unsold Surface RT tablets in a jiffy.</p>
<p>But Microsoft has a slightly different explanation. According to Ryan Lowdermilk, technology evangelist for Microsoft and host of the Windows developer show, the <a href="https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.ryanlowdermilk.com/2013/06/microsoft-surface-199-for-students/" target="_blank">reason why Microsoft is offering such aggressive pricing to educational institutions is because it is something it has always done.</a></p>
<p>“Microsoft’s mission in education is to help schools, students and educators realize their full potential. We do this by investing in education institutions through software, hardware and services at affordable prices,” read a post on Lowdermilk’s site prior to being taken down. “We think Surface RT is a terrific tool for teaching and learning, and we want students and educators to have the best technology on the market today.”</p>
<p>Under the offer, K12 and higher education institutions in as many as 25 countries will be able to buy the Surface RT (32GB) for as low as $199 ($249 with the Touch Keyboard cover and $289 with the Type Keyboard cover) for a limited time. The countries where the offer will be available are: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China (via Digital China), Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and the United States.</p>
<p>More details about the offer are expected to be available at the upcoming ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) event, where <a href="http://www.zdnet.com/microsoft-launches-surface-rt-discount-for-schools-7000016919/" target="_blank">Microsoft plans to give away as many as 10,000 free Surface RTs to “qualified ISTE 2013 attendees and their schools”</a> as part of its <a href="https://wicexperience.itnint.com/RegOnline/Terms.aspx">Classroom Surface Experience Project</a>.</p>
<p><em>Follow Pulkit on&nbsp;<a style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; outline: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; text-decoration: none;" href="https://plus.google.com/107395408525066230351?rel=author">Google+</a></em></p>
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/microsoft_targeting_education_market_surface_rt_giveaways_discounts199#commentsdiscountgiveawaymaximum techmicrosoftsurface rttabletswindows rtNewsSat, 22 Jun 2013 08:10:30 +0000Pulkit Chandna25782 at http://www.maximumpc.comSamsung's Water Resistant Galaxy S4 Active Lands at AT&T for $200http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/samsungs_water_resistant_galaxy_s4_active_lands_att_200
<!--paging_filter--><h3><img src="/files/u69/samsung_galaxy_s4_active.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy S4 Active" title="Samsung Galaxy S4 Active" width="228" height="180" style="float: right;" />A phone that's not afraid of a little water.</h3>
<p>The thing about smartphones is that even though they're offered at a large discount when signing up for a two-year service agreement, if you don't opt for an accidental damage warranty, you could be looking at a costly replacement if something goes wrong. What happens if you're sitting by the pool and your Galaxy S4 decides to squirt out of your hand and go for a swim? The outcome isn't likely a good one (try sticking it in a bag or bowl of uncooked rice for a day or two). However, <a href="http://www.maximumpc.com/tags/samsung"><strong>Samsung's</strong></a> Galaxy S4 Active isn't quite as fragile.</p>
<p>The Galaxy S4 Active is designed for, well, active individuals. It's IP67 certified to be water-resistant and dust-resistant, which means you can rest a little easier at the beach or when you go hiking. It even has an Aqua Mode that allows you to snap underwater photos.</p>
<p>Like the regular Galaxy S4, the Active model sports a 1.9GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. It also has an 8MP rear-facing camera, 4G LTE support, and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean out of the box.</p>
<p>AT&amp;T will be the <a href="http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=24394&amp;cdvn=news&amp;newsarticleid=36621&amp;mapcode=consumer|mobile-devices" target="_blank">first carrier</a> to offer the Galaxy S4 Active when it becomes available June 1st. It will sell for $200 with a two-year data commitment.</p>
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http://www.maximumpc.com/article/news/samsungs_water_resistant_galaxy_s4_active_lands_att_200#commentsat&tgalaxy s4 activemaximum techmobilesamsungsmartphoneNewsThu, 13 Jun 2013 19:10:40 +0000Paul Lilly25730 at http://www.maximumpc.com